Archbishop leads funding campaign for violence victims

The Archdiocese of Karachi this Christmas distributed relief funds to families whose principal breadwinners were killed during one of the city’s most violent years.

The modest relief efforts benefited five families, each of which received about 50,000 rupees (US$525), and comprises part of a larger program that aims to provide jobs and education for families of victims.

“It is very depressing that about 10 to 12 people die here on a daily basis [due to terrorism and sectarian violence]. The Catholic Church will continue helping the victims’ families in getting jobs and in school admissions,” said Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, who led the distribution of funds last week.

More than 1,700 people were reportedly killed during the first nine months of the year, according to local media reports.